The Economics of Drug Abuse [Infographic]

Admissions Staff Are Standing By 24/7

Article Contents

The United States spends $300 billion on drugs – every year!

In a recovering economy, how do these astronomical costs add up? Approximately $100 billion is spent per year on the purchase of illicit substances like heroin, crystal meth, marijuana and cocaine by the 22.5 million current drug abusers in America. The resulting cost to the United States economy is double that amount, totaling $200 billion. These funds end up in the criminal justice system, labor participation programs, incarceration expenses and even hospital and emergency department visits.

So how much is $300 billion? It’s enough money to give every single person in the United States $950! The money could also be used to pay the entirety of 3 million students’ college tuitions, or to purchase Google – the world’s largest media company.

Most importantly, according to the United Nations, $30 billion per year is enough to end world hunger. The $300 billion spent per year in the United States on drug abuse is enough money to end world hunger for 10 years. And for every American drug abuser, that’s $13,333 that could be used instead to feed the poor and underprivileged. Since the average American family of four spends $751 per month on groceries, that’s enough money to feed them for almost a year and a half!

Please help us spread the word about the economics of drug abuse in the United States by sharing this infographic with your friends, families and readers. You can embed the graphic using the code in the box below, or click the social icons to share to Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere. Thank you!

Embed me!

The Addiction Blog

All too often, addicts are recycled through drug rehab treatment facilities across the country, where they are given the basics of recovery, but little else. Sent back out into the world, they lack the foundation in sobriety necessary to sustain long ...

For the vast majority of people who are addicted to alcohol, the first big decision they must make is to become willing to seek treatment for their addiction. The second decision is of vital importance as well—choosing the right alcohol rehab to se ...

For many addicts who have made the decision to enter drug rehabilitation after a life filled with pain and misery, they will need to go through a period of safe detox before dealing with other factors associated with the addiction, and it’s importa ...

Oftentimes, drug addicts are completely unaware of the devastation they are causing in the lives of those around them, especially within their own families. Family members themselves will yell, scream, withdraw, cajole, rant, criticize, understand, n ...

Testimonials

This place saved my son and our family! Awesome counselors and staff. After 9 years of multiple facilities we found JourneyPure. One year later my son is clean and doing well. Thank you JourneyPure.

Joanne P

As an industry professional JourneyPure has become one of my most trusted resources. Patient care and engagement are always top notch, and I know that I can always trust that the patient and their families will be in the best position to recover. Solid clinically, and more importantly these are good and genuinely caring people. I cannot recommend JourneyPure at the River enough for those struggling with addiction.

Ben K

This place saved my life. The team that helped me get in was very helpful and showed that they really care. They made the detoxing portion 10x easier to deal with than trying cold turkey. The programming has an excellent balance of class and activities. I learned so much there. Just the ability to cope with life. They've set me up for success with a boat load of tools and the team they have to support your recovery is amazing. Thanks journeypure